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1.22.2016

My latest creation is this adorable Pokemon. It's a cotton bird called Swablu. I like to think the wings are clouds instead haha. This was my first custom Pokemon order of the year. :D They asked for a birthday hat since it's a gift. It's also my very first tiny pom-pom made by a fork.

I'm wondering if I want to devote time to releasing the pattern. I'm worried that the wings are too complicated due to the shaping. I'll have to test it out myself and get the numbers right on both wings. It didn't add up correctly when I made the second one (whoops) \
I don't have my own camera yet so I'm still borrowing and using a difficult 85mm in a tiny spaces.

1.19.2016

I'm starting the Bikini Body Guide aka BBG. I haven't had a set routine in a couple of months and my motivation sizzled out. This particular guide is for 12 weeks. The results I've seen after 1-3 rounds is going to drive me to continue. It's not a 30 day challenge and I don't want all of the hard work to go down the drain.

It's not budget friendly. What disappointed me is that all the information in there is something you can find off of Google. The routines are not really special. Some workouts also require equipment and/or a gym membership. I'm more of 'save money each month' by doing it at home. On top of the price tag, you need dumbbells, a medicine ball, 2 flat benches, jump rope and a bosu ball.

The workouts seem shorter than what I've already been doing and don't use much weight lifting as I assumed so I'm skeptical. I don't want to throw cash towards a gym membership so I'll be doing substitutions with kettlebells, a chair or steps.

I'm going to reduce fast food meals and alcohol until it's cut out completely. I'm sure I'll get results through consistently and how I haven't been 100% sticking to a routine.
Who knows? Maybe it'll be worth it.

Last year my goals were focused on weight loss/booty gains and now I'm more into wanting ab definition. I'm going to hold myself accountable and probably log every 1-2 weeks. I'll take progress pictures every month.

1.17.2016

I'm getting ready for winter and Halloween by making my son some hats of his favorite characters. I started with Winnie the Pooh. :D

I usually don't work with bulky yarns but I found the perfect color for Winnie the Pooh in that weight. It's Loops & Threads Charisma in Yellow. Not too light or too orangey!

I made this hat to fit my almost 2 year old and he has a head circumference of 19". There's more information on sizing and gauge below. I also added a little guide at the end of the pattern so you can make it in a different size.

Note I've only made this pattern once and it hasn't been tested. This pattern isn't as detailed or photo heavy as my other ones. But if I keep writing up patterns this way, I think I'd be able to offer more free patterns. :)

Ch 3 at beginning counts as a stitch. When working increases at the beginning of the round, dc in same st as the join. When working even rounds, don't crochet in the same st as the join. Skip it and crochet the next st.

Join rounds with a sl st to the first stitch (the beginning ch 3 or sc).

At the end of single crochet rows, ch 1 and turn.

Hat:

With yellow yarn and I/5.5mm hook,

R1: 10 dc into magic ring. (10 sts)

R2: 2 dc around. (20 sts)

R3: *2 dc, dc* to end. (30 sts)

R4: *2 dc, dc 2* to end. (40 sts)

R5: *2 dc, dc 19* to end. (42 sts)

R6-10: Dc around. (5 rounds)

Don't fasten off, start on the earflap.

Earflap:

R1: Ch 1, sc 10.

R2: Sc2tog at the beginning and end of the row. (8 sts)

R3: Sc to end.

R4: Sc2tog at the beginning and end of the row. (6 sts)

R5: Sc to end.

R6: Sc2tog at the beginning and end of the row. (4 sts)

R7: Sc to end.

R8: Sc2tog at the beginning and end of the row. (2 sts)

R9: Sc2tog. (1 st)

Fasten off.

Second Earflap:

Skip the next 12 sts (this is the front of the hat), work as for first earflap.

Fasten off.

Edging:

With red yarn and I/5.5mm hook,

R1: Sc around.

Fasten off.

Weave in all the ends.

Ears (Make 2):

With yellow yarn and I/5.5mm hook,

R1: 7 dc into magic ring. (7 sts)

R2: 2 dc around. (14 sts)

R3: Sc around.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Sew onto the hat. Weave in the ends.

Snout:

With yellow yarn and I/5.5mm hook,

R1: 7 dc into magic ring. (7 sts)

R2: 2 dc around. (14 sts)

R3: *2 dc, dc* to end. (21 sts)

R4: *2 dc, dc 2* to end. (28 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff with polyfil. Sew onto the hat centered just above the red edging.

Nose:

With brown yarn and E/3.5mm hook,

R1: Ch 13, sk ch, sc 12 sts. (12 sts)

R2: Sc to end.

R3: Sc2tog at the beginning and end of the row. (10 sts)

R4: Sc2tog at the beginning and end of the row. (8 sts)

R5: Sc2tog at the beginning and end of the row. (6 sts)

R6: Sc2tog at the beginning and end of the row. (4 sts)

R7: Sc2tog at the beginning and end of the row. (2 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Sew on the top of the snout.

Eyes:

Sew on the eyes about 2-3 stitches away from the snout.

Eyebrows:

With brown yarn and yarn needle, stitch on the eyebrows a couple rounds above the eyes.

Sizing Guide:

If you'd like to make this in a different size, here is a mini guide.

If you don't have measurements, you can use ones from these sizing charts:

1. Take the head measurement and minus 1 or 2 inches for negative ease.

Example: 19" - 2" = 17"

2. Start working the pattern and after a few rounds, measure the stitches per inch and multiple it by the finished measurement.

Example: 2.5 stitches per inch x 17" = 42.5

3. Figure out how many increase rounds you need to reach that number. Depending on the number, you can round the number up or down.

Example: 10 (starting number) x 4 increase rounds = 40

Since my number is already two inches negative ease, I decided to add another increase round to add 2 more stitches to get to 42.

4. Now work even in double crochet until you reach just about the height you want and leave some space to do the red single crochet edging after.

Example: I did 5 rounds to get to 6 3/4 inches.

5. Next the earflaps! This isn't exact-- it's just some guesswork here. Decide on how many stitches you need for each earflap and the spacing between them. They're positioned to be closer to the back of the hat with more stitches in the front than the back.

6. Now you can add the edging and other details. You may need to size up or down the eyes, ears, snout, and nose.

If you make this hat, I'd love to see it! Please add it on Ravelry or post photos in the comments.

1.15.2016

I used WhattheCraft's Retro Swing Dress Pattern. My measurements are kind of all over the place but I made size small and with the stretch fabric, it fits good. The belt is from a pencil skirt I got forever ago at like Macy's. I wish I could find another one like it!! (Maybe in a purple? Hint hint!)

This pattern really does need a petticoat to look epic. Of course, I don't have one so I cheated and used my tulle/crepon skirt from my Sailor Moon Human Luna cosplay.

I've made a couple princess seamed bodices and circle skirts before and found this pattern easy to follow. I don't really have experience using commercial patterns so I love to use indie patterns/tutorials. I tried making a dress pattern from Vogue before and the sizing was weird and just nope.

I've only sewn stretch fabric from scratch once before and figured it couldn't be too hard. I just looked for a color I liked in a stretch fabric and found Ity Silky Jersery Knit. (It seems the Caribbean Green color is no longer available.) I never used this type of fabric before and assumed it couldn't have been much different from the knit rib fabric. I had no idea what to expect because for once, I didn't get around to reading up on it first.

It turns out the fabric is super slippery. It probably took me all day just to cut out all the pieces. I spent forever trying to figure out what needle would work with the fabric. I destroyed a scrap of the fabric with skipped stitches everywhere and also ended up breaking a couple of the needles. I had to buy 3 different sets of needles until I found one that would actually work!!

So I really like this dress design and when I ordered the green fabric, I figured sure I'll get the fabric in another color too so I can make two dresses! Good idea, the fabric is going to be hibernating in the closet for years now. But I will definitely be making more of this pattern someday, just in a different fabric!!

Do you have any favorite sewing patterns? Always looking for new projects! :)

1.13.2016

My first post of the new year! I've been doing my own thing for the past few months. It feels strange to go on this unannounced hiatus so I could focus on me. Blogging as become my routine for many years and taking that step back was a challenge. I've always been that person to just lurk in the sidelines and it's easy to go back doing that but I can't just leave for good.

I know this space will need to change to keep up with me. I don't identify as a 100% fashion blog. It'll be nice to revisit why I made this in the first place and make the necessary tweaks. I'm not hating on style blogging. It's nice but I've had to start over with a new wardrobe with little money and haven't been feeling pictures this cold season.For years my anxiety gave me heat flashes and I managed tanktops in Winter with no problem. Now I'm feeling more relaxed but with wearing 2-3 layers. I wear leggings under jeans and it's only California cold.

I ordered this petite maxi skirt from China and the sizing is just perfect. I'm always worried things will never fit but this is stretchy and the correct length for a short person!! I've been focusing on wearing more jewelry/accessories lately. I'm such a big collector and it's so wasteful not actually using any of it. These earrings are a recent buy from Hell Yeah Sweet n Sour:

I recently started to get back into a workout routine and I'm learning to use a Silhouette Cameo. I'll probably share more soon!!

Welcome

Crissy. I'm a crochet designer and digital artist for fun. In my past, I was a photographer and graphic/blog designer. These days I'm focused on anime and video games. I'm a crochet & knit designer, web designer, and illustrator. I run Adorably Kawaii